After almost two weeks of traveling around Maui, island of lovers, and Oahu, island of excitement, Ania and I landed in Kauai on a dark evening. From the airport, a chatty teenager drove us to our rental car agency where a newly married girl and her boss expressed their gratefulness for our visit on their beautiful island. “You’ll see, the girl said excitedly, Kauai will soon become your favorite hawaiian island. There is really nowhere else like here!” And she was right, Kauai did become my favorite island. There is something magical about its seemingly unexplored and uninhabited wilderness and the infinite possibilities that it holds.

Our cottage for the week was hidden far away between mountains, in the middle of a twisting road puzzle. When we finally got there, a small light lite up on the second floor of the residence. We got out of our car and said hello to the women stepping on her balcony to greet us. We were happy to have arrived safely and were ready to sleep.

Later that night while falling asleep to the sound of the reassuring air fan, a loud alarm abruptly woke us up. Ania jumped up next to me and screamed “Oh my God Gab, what is happening?!?” Still confused about whether this was a weird dream or not, I moved my shoulders up expressing I had no idea. We went back to sleep, but the minute round two started, we decided that we needed to do something.

After calling the owners ten times in a row without answer, we started imagining every scenario possible. Maybe this was a robber alarm…we had been swiping on Tinder earlier and thought that one creepy guy might have tracked us down. “No, I said, they can’t find out our exact location.” We discarded that theory and checked if something was burning instead but found nothing out of the ordinary. “I’m scared, Ania said, maybe it’s a gas alarm and we can’t see the gas and we’re going to die intoxicated in our sleep!” At that point, we just couldn’t go back to bed.

We put our flip flops on and walked out of the house. We didn’t see a thing and didn’t know where to go because we were only guided by the moonlight and our faint iPhone light. Desperate, Ania yelled the name of the owner, trying to wake our host family up. Immediately, dogs barked and I swear I heard a wolf howl! I grabbed her arm, we screamed in panic, and ran back to the house almost losing our flip flops along the way. That’s it, we were done playing heroes!

We took every alarm off the walls, deactivated them and went back to bed, still worried but exhausted. The next morning, the man owner apologized endlessly and told us that he had been testing a new alarm system that obviously wasn’t working well. We were relieved that no weird fire or monster was after us.

We gazed at our peaceful surroundings, the avocado trees, the wild vegetation and chickens walking around the cottage like they owned the place and let all our stress go. Without even trying to look decent, we packed our daily backpack and went to the tiny town of Kapaa for breakfast at Java Kai.

Breakfast at Java Kai

Hiking the Na Pali Coast

Being prudent planners, we asked our host for advice before starting our Kauai exploration. Gladly, the nice man revealed that Kauai could be very unpredictable and that lately, mother nature had been playing funny weather games. The island suffered from flooding and rumors of a possible tsunami was going around. He suggested that we review our grand hiking expectations and be careful before embarking on adventures we weren’t prepared for.

His precious advice in mind, we drove to the Na Pali Coast but it was almost noon when we finished circling around to find parking next to the hiking trail. We were disappointed that we wouldn’t have enough time to reach the beautiful Hanakapiʻai Beach before feeling hungry, but we decided to go for a short hike anyways.

Even if we didn’t reach the beach, hiking the Na Pali Coast to the first view point was worth it, and allowed us to take these gorgeous pictures…

We hiked back down and stopped for lunch in the small town of Hanalei, walked around all afternoon and went to bed early, very grateful that no alarm woke us up this time.

Finding peace at the Sleeping Giant

On our second day, we grabbed a couple of old brownish touristy books laying around in our cottage and left on the quest to find the perfect short hike. A couple of pages flipped later, I gently tapped on Ania’s arm and pointed to the travel guide. “Look, I said, this is so cool! At the top of the Sleeping Giant mountain, there is a box where we can deposit a small prayer!” Ania and I suddenly got very excited about the opportunity of leaving a trace somewhere on Kauai, and quickly grabbed our pro hiking gear (running shoes!), some paper and a pen, and drove to the trail.

By the time we got to the Sleeping Giant, the sun was out and shining. We hiked in the heat and sweat for about an hour, endlessly talking, trying to stay on the right path, sometimes even climbing on strange rocks, hoping our trail radar was on track.

When we arrived at the top, it was like fairytale land: three kids were running around playing together while their moms were setting a picnic. We looked around for the prayer box, behind trees, bushes and flowers, but unfortunately couldn’t find it.

In the end, finding the box didn’t really matter. We were so glad that we had hiked all this way and had a taste of the fresh air, silence and joy. We sat on the Respect Kauai wood bench and gazed at the beautiful view in silence, happy to be where we needed to be.

On our arrival in Kauai, our hosts had informed us of a beautiful waterfall hidden very close to their cottage, which got us very excited. We would only have to hike a couple of minutes to get to our destination and so we planned this perfect adventure for our last day. Hair tided up, flip flops and bathing suit on, towel under our arms, we headed towards our secluded waterfall.

After 20 minutes of actively looking for the waterfall alone in the forest, hiking on muddy flip flops, stepping over twisted branches and pointy rocks, we wondered if we were lost. Fortunately, we heard voices getting closer.

A group of 3 women approached us and invited us to follow them to the hidden Ho’opi’i Falls. One of them was a local, and she couldn’t wait to share the waterfall experience with her two friends visiting from other Hawaiian islands. After climbing for a couple more miles, and decrypting strange code language such as an Arizona bottle directing us into the right path, we finally reached the beautiful falls, where the women shared with us their mosquito bite lotion, since our legs had been completely eaten by the little bugs.

Our super trendy water shoes on, we climbed on the waterfall rocks and then jumped in the cold green water. We swam towards the Tarzan rope where I took a couple more minutes than Ania to climb up the rope and laid there, circling around with it. “Climb higher! Ania said, you can do it Gab!” But that was it for me, I was perfectly happy at this moderate height.

Other visitors had now joined us in the waterfall, and they all looked impressed by Ania’s rope climbing skills, as she gracefully lay up there, smiling. When she jumped off and swam towards me, the other visitors grabbed the rope and swung themselves into the water making huge splashes.

We were gathering our stuff and starting to head back when a random guy yelled at us. “Hey girls!” We looked at each other, wandering what he was going to say. “Be careful climbing back in flip flops!” he added with a half smile. We thanked him for his precious advice and got on our way. He didn’t need to worry. After spending 4 days on Kauai, we had become professional flip flop climbers.

Kauai restaurant suggestions for the foodie

Food trucks Al Pastor Tacos and Small Town Coffee Co.

Food trucks are so great because they make you feel like you have found a restaurant that isn’t there to stay, and therefore you should absolutely enjoy every single bit of food, since you might never have the opportunity to taste it again. Also, you kind of feel like you have found a secret gipsy place, which is very cool.

Small Town Coffee Co. has coffee and pastries that will wake you up with their absolute goodness, that you can enjoy sitting at the few wood tables under the morning sunshine. Also, a very cool thing happened to us there: a man mistook us for two Brazilians. We must have looked very tan and our French Canadian accent very exotic!

Java Kai

Breakfast at Java Kai was perfect for us since the place was located just a short drive away from our cottage in Kapaa. They serve lattes with white floral designs on top like we like them, and a large selection of smoothies and juices that will reboot you with fruity energy!

Tahiti Nui

We unfortunately couldn’t eat at Tahiti Nui since we arrived at a random time in the afternoon where they didn’t serve food, but it is very cool since Georges Clooney was there in the movie The Descendants.

Olympic Cafe

Even if Ania and I are two single women in our mid-twenties, we surprisingly did not seek a lot of boy action during our adventurous trip to Hawaii. Actually, the action came to us when we did not expect it, during a night out at the Olympic Cafe.

It was our last night in Hawaii, and we had promised ourselves that after days of coming back home, eating light homemade dinners and hopping into bed after watching television shows on the dangers of sharks and flash floods, we had to at least try to find some nightlife. So we put on our usual jumpsuits and flip flops and went makeup free for a casual night out in the town.

Walking around calm Kappa, the Olympic Cafe stood out with its open-air second floor terrace. We entered to find out that most tables were filled out with people cheerfully drinking beers, loudly talking and watching sports. We stood at the entrance in our cute jumpsuits, not really fitting in but so happy to experience something new and fun.

The waiter sat us down at the bar where we ordered two large Lava Flow drinks. I don’t know if the cool drinks did the trick, but the man next to us started a conversation.

Turns out he was a young professional who had studied and worked a 9-to-5 job in Florida only to realize he did not want that life and had decided to come back to Kauai to live as an adventure tour guide. That night, we chatted for hours learning very useful information, such as what to do if a tsunami hit us the next day, and how dangerous flash floods are, which were very big concerns of ours. We also asked him why there were so many chicken running free on Hawaii, but this mystery was unfortunately left unsolved.

The next morning, we left beautiful and peaceful Hawaii, paradise of wild chicken and blooming friendships. Recharged with positive and calm energy, we were ready to get back to our friends and family.

After a very peaceful stay in Maui, Ania, Manu and I were more than ready to experience the liveliness of Oahu! Before hopping on the plane, we got drinks at Maui’s airport where the funny waitress suggested we get just one more drink to celebrate our upcoming adventures! We were pumped.

After landing in Honolulu, we walked on the large sidewalks ornamented by glorious palm trees and gazed at the tall luminous buildings we had never expected to see. Hawaii was supposed to be the state of nature, hikes and beaches. Who knew that a real city could hide among all of this?

On our first night out, we were determined to experience amazing nightlife. After eating late at a restaurant, we got in line for a rooftop bar but soon left feeling underdressed in our flowy dresses that couldn’t compete with the tight ones all around. We then tried a pub blasting bad rock music, which we left our ears in pain. But it was only when we talked to strange boys on the street who didn’t even know where Canada was on a map, that we got our cue to go home.

We decided we needed to relax and go with the flow; trying to find a specific experience would only leave us disappointed. We had to open ourselves to the hawaiian magic. And honestly, being in paradise with two amazing friends was more than enough happiness!

5 days in Oahu

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is where the tourists hang! A lot of trendy restaurants and hotels with infinity pools are located beside the busy beach where people come to watch the sunset at the end of the day. However, if you’re looking for tranquility, let me tell you this is not it. It’s even hard to find a tiny spot to lay down and read on your beach towel. For this purpose, I encourage you to find your own secret beach elsewhere on the island!

Waikiki is the perfect central place to stay, eat and shop! Manu, Ania and I loved having brunch and dinner in the area, and chatting endlessly at night, while walking on the streets or sitting late on the beach.

But really, you should rent a car and venture outside of the crowded place to experience the true amazingness and wilderness of Oahu.

The North Shore

It feels amazing to find calm and beauty just outside of a busy city like Honolulu.

On our way to the North Shore, we first stopped to have lunch at a food truck paradise. According to their information signs, they had world famous everything…shrimps, fish n’ chips, smoothies, coconuts… Hungry, we shared seafood and rice and ate on a picnic table all warmed up by sunshine.

We then left to explore the North Shore. I fell in love with surfer town Haleiwa, where we entered every single small shop and marvelled at the idea of having ice cream every time we walked past a gelato place.

We decided to take our beach break at Waimea Bay, where we watched young cliff jumpers yell their joy before taking the plunge of their life!

Entering the ocean, we were so grateful for the turquoise water running on our sun-kissed skin and the joy of having nothing to do but gaze at the beauty of the place and enjoy the present moment. We spent hours alternating between lying on the sand and swimming as far as we could.

Diamond Head Crater

Our stay in Oahu was sadly coming to an end. But with us, it ain’t over till it’s over! A few hours before Manu had to leave Ania and I to go back home, we spontaneously decided to go on a hike. We had been running pretty smoothly for the last couple of days, taking the car to see beautiful views across the island, sunbathing and swimming … we now wanted to get our heart racing.

Starting our hike at the Diamond Head Crater, we didn’t expect to be so amazed by the beauty of everything. Everywhere we turned along the way, something more beautiful was awaiting us.

At the top, the city view was simply breathtaking!

Just when we thought it was all over, we saw a beautiful rainbow crossing the dazzling scenery. It was like a happy goodbye to Manu! Life can be pretty surprising sometimes.

Oahu Restaurant Suggestions for the Foodie

In Oahu, every brunch, lunch and dinner, was marvelously yummy! I am a pretty die-hard fan of brunch so I assembled our favorite brunch places in Oahu here for you…

Honolulu Coffee (at the Moana Surfrider)

Hawaiian Acai Bowl are heaven for smoothie lovers like me. They are a mix of Acai and almond milk, topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, honey… Try one at the Honolulu Coffee located at the Moana Surfrider, along with a large bowl of warm Macadamia Nut Coffee. You’ll just want to say awwww.

Leonard’s Bakery and Kaimana Farm Cafe

Leonard’s Bakery‘s sugar-crusted doughnuts melt in your hands and in your mouth. The fillings are so delicious, you’ll want to eat way more than your belly can handle! We picked up our pink box and brought it along with us to the Kaimana Farm Cafe. The place is so calm, cozy and cute, with its large wood tables and big chalkboards, where the healthy menu is beautifully drawn.

Heavenly

It was so heavenly that Heavenly was located right outside of our apartment! We went for dinner and…went again for brunch! They kind of had me at local and organic. And the surfboards hanging on the walls make the place look très très cool.

Delicious food is not hard to find in Oahu! From food trucks, to local and organic smoothies, to chocolate cheesecakes at the Cheesecake Factory, you won’t likely be disappointed. My own tummy was pretty satisfied! You should also give a try to…

Bills for delicious brunch in a large space with bright light coming in from the big windows.

About a year ago, always freezing or slightly slipping on canadian ice, my friend Ania and I daydreamed of traveling far away. Looking at our world map, the Hawaii idea scored so high on our bikini test that we booked our plane tickets immediately for an escapade in September!

We arrived to our first island, Maui, after a delayed flight, an unplanned night at the airport’s hotel and two hours of waiting for our rented car in line behind a crowd of sweaty tourists. We drove to our airbnb and, exhausted but cheerful, we jumped into the arms of our friend Manu.

As we walked on the beach that same evening, we curiously observed a couple exchange vows. The few wedding guests were dressed so casually it blew our minds. The bottom of the bride’s dress was covered in sand but she did not seem to notice, her large smile making everyone forget this unimportant detail. Looking back, this scenery embodied Maui perfectly: a very relaxed and carefree paradise for lovers. As for us, with no serious masculine lovers in mind, we celebrated our friendship and the simple beauty of life on Maui!

5 days in Maui

The Road to Hana

After a good first night of sleep, we went for the most touristy activity on Maui: driving to the town of Hana. The attraction isn’t the town itself, but the stops you make along the way.

We drove from 8AM to 11AM and first stopped at a food stand to share a mango smoothie and chat with the owners, who lived a tranquil life of farming and smoothie-making in the wilderness.

Fascinated by their simple lifestyle, we savored the mango delicacy while inquiring about their life and asking for Road-to-Hana advice. Back in the car, heads full of inspiring thoughts, we drove past the town of Hana to the Seven Sacred Pools. Unfortunately, the attraction was half closed and we couldn’t see a pool clearly. A little tired from all the driving, we went back on the road we came from and promised ourselves to stop soon for a picnic.

To our delight, we found Black Sand Beach, which opens with views of greens and blues. Wild vegetation grows at the edge of a beautiful cliff at the bottom of which lies a beach of dark sand and calm waves of turquoise water.

We sat at a picnic table and happily ate our sandwiches. We then walked to the edge of the cliff and down to the beach to swim along with the other happy tourists. After hours of driving, it felt heavenly.

Our clothes decorated with black sand and our hearts filled with amazement, we got back to the car.

A couple of miles later, we found a hidden waterfall and felt the excitement rush in immediately. Dressed in nothing but swimsuits, we carefully stepped on the rocks at the edge of the waterfall pool to plunge in the greenish water.

Road to Hana advice:

Choose a sunny day, leave early, have a good motivated driver and stop when you feel like it on the road. You can plan your stops in advance, but depending on the number of tourists there when you stop, you might change your mind. Most of all, enjoy the beauty of the ride! Bring your swimsuit, beach towel, water shoes, flip flops, running shoes, snacks and music for the road trip.

Beach Days & Surfer Towns

In Maui, we spent a lot of time unwinding at the beach, swimming and snorkeling. My personal favorite beach on Maui is Wailea Beach. There, we played the photographer game for a little while…

We spent mornings lying on the beach and afternoons walking around in adorable hawaiian surfer towns, where the cool relaxed people hang out and the sun always shines. We joyfully visited adorable boutiques and fell in love with Sand People and Honolulu Cookies (hello free cookie samples!). The town of Lahaina was the most lively!

Sunset at the Haleakala Crater

On our last day in Maui, we drove to the top of the Haleakala Crater to watch the sunset. The end goal was worth it, but the road to get there was a total challenge. It brought us so high and twisted and turned so much that our driver Ania stopped seeing straight at some point. We told her that we could drive back down anytime and forget about the sunset, but she wanted to keep on driving up and so we did.

When we finally arrived, what we found took our breath away: beauty, silence and pure air. In our daily lives, we’re always surrounded by noise and visual overload. Car noise, heating noise, chatting noise. Computer screens, phone screens and ads on many corners. On the top of the Haleakala Crater, there was only silence. The air was pure and the over-the-clouds view so peaceful and unique, I took one deep breath and promised myself to always remember this moment and go back to it whenever I needed to find peace and calm in my life.

Haleakala Crater Advice

A lot of people say that sunrise at the Haleakala Crater is one of the most beautiful spectacles they’ve ever seen. While I encourage you to go for sunrise, keep in mind that you will be driving a twisting road that you don’t know in the dark. A splendid sunset is a bit trickier to attend because it tends to get cloudy in the afternoon and you might not be able to see it because of the clouds. But if it is a cloudy day, go either way! The experience is too unique to miss.

Maui Restaurant Suggestions for the foodie

Being food and nightlife lovers, Ania, Manu and I found the yummiest restaurants on the island. We loved Tommy Bahama, Duke’s and Hula Grill, which serve popular but delicious food. Since we ate a lot of fried delicacies during the trip and craved vegetables to balance it out, we became fans of Duke’s salad bar.

Paia Fish Market is a heaven for fish lovers. Located in the cute town of Paia, this casual restaurant serves large plates of fresh seafood at a very reasonable price. The people are very chatty and you sit on large tables that are always full.

In Maui, we were a carefree and simply happy. Stay tuned for a Oahu and Kauai travel guide!